Letting of Blood in time of Plague has been observ'd to be very pernicious; so also oft or strong Purging; for the Veins being emptied either way, will readily suck in whatever poysonous Atoms lurk in the outward Pores of the Body, which being admitted, become the more prevalent, because the Spirits being depauperated, are less able to subdue or repel them.
Thus much of the way of Preservation: Next we are to treat of the Cure of those that are infected.
The Cure of the Plague admits of no Delay; neither indeed is there need of any deliberation what ought to be done; but as soon as any one finds himself infected, let him forthwith take to his Bed, and having pray'd to Almighty God for his Blessing, begin to use the Means.
If the Party is much oppress'd at his Stomach, and strains to vomit, or else with vomiting throws up bitter and stinking Matter; let him presently take a large draught of _Carduus_, or _Camomile_ Posset-Drink, and in it either half a Dram of Salt of _Vitriol_, or two Ounces of Liquor of _Squills_, and with his finger or a Feather, fetch up what is contain'd in his Stomach; but take no Antimonial Medicine, that will work beyond the Stomach. As soon as he has vomited, [or if there is no occasion for this Evacuation] let him presently be put into a Sweat, and continue for twelve hours, more or less, according as his strength will hold out, and not sleep in it, or not till the latter end of it.
If when he begins to Sweat, or endeavours it, his Vomiting still persists, then apply to the pit of the Stomach a Toast of White-Bread, spread over with _Treacle_ or _Mithridate_, and dipt in _Claret-Wine_ or _Pestilential Vinegar_, made Scalding hot in a Peuter Dish; Wrap this in fine Linnen, and apply it very hot.
After a plentiful Sweat for twelve, fourteen, or eighteen hours, give him some Refective, as Broth, Caudle, Mace-drink, or the like; and a little while after suffer him to sleep if he can. Then give him temperate Cordials by way of Confection or Julep, or both; which repeat every third or fourth hour: Also at the time that the Party settles to sleep, lay _Vesicatory_ Plaisters behind the Ears, and under the Arm-pits, and also in the Groin.
After he has slept, or endeavour'd it, and his Spirits are pretty well refresh'd, at a moderate distance from the first sweating, _viz._ Eighteen, or Four and Twenty hours, sooner or later, according as Symptoms are more or less urgent, and his strength is able, repeat the Sweating again; and so proceed through the whole Cure; one while Sweating, and another while refreshing his Spirits by temperate Cordials and Sleep; betwixt whiles administring fit Nourishment, until such time as the Symptoms are abated wholly, and either the Disease terminated, or else the Malignity is driven all out in Boyls or Carbuncles; which how they must be order'd, shall be set down.